Wayland: Board of Health Plans to Take Up Fluoride Question Sept. 9

A Wayland dentist is circulating a petition asking the Board of Health to continue fluoridating the town’s water.

The Wayland Board of Health introduced the topic of Wayland’s Community Fluoridation Program about two months ago and are gearing up to next discuss the topic in September.

Wayland Director of Public Health Julia Junghann’s said the Sept. 9 Board of Health meeting agenda will include a presentation from Dr. Myron Allukian Jr., an expert in dental public health who has championed public water fluoridation in Massachusetts and beyond.

“He’s going to be speaking about fluoride, and then we’re planning on having some discussion and questions [from the public] or questions that [Board of Health member] Dr. [Michael] Bean may have and dialogue with Dr. Allukian.

Junghann’s said the board is specifically looking at a couple of possibilities related to the Community Water Fluoridation program in Wayland: Continue it as is; reduce the amount of fluoride from its current level 1.0 parts per million; or stop the program altogether.

The Board of Health has jurisdiction to make any of these decisions without a vote of the town, Junghann’s said, but it’s possible the board could put the issue on a ballot or even seek a non-binding vote of the public.

Dr. Michael Putt, dentist at Wayland Dental, is already beginning a public opinion vote of his own. From now until the Sept. 9 Board of Health meeting, Putt is inviting residents to stop by his practice at 131 Main St., and sign a petition asking the board to continue the Community Water Fluoridation program in town.

“As a dentist practicing in Wayland, I believe that the fluoridation of the water is a very important public health issue and should continue,” Putt wrote in an email to Patch. “I am looking for the support of Wayland town residents who believe the same. I currently am collecting signatures of Wayland residents (patients or non patients) to show our support of this program. Please stop by my office to sign the petition to keep Wayland water fluoridated.”